Appointive barangay and SK officials? Why not? — VP Binay

Vice President Jejomar Binay has said he favors “revisiting” the law that paved the way for the elections of barangay and sangguniang kabataan or SK officials.
In a groundbreaking of a government housing project in Argao, Cebu on Sept. 20, Binay reiterated his position that barangay and SK officials are better off appointed by the mayor instead of being elected.
An appointive barangay and SK official would finally stop the divisiveness within ranks of the local officials, Binay said.
He said his proposal would not only foster unity among local officials but also result in billions of pesos savings in taxpayers’ money.
The vice president, though, is not keen on abolishing the SK, which he said is too harsh.
“It might be harsh to abolish it, but it’s time to revisit the law. (Look into the) very purpose why the SK and their election was made in the first place,” the vice president, who also chairs the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA), said.
Binay said he definitely supports the need to have a youth organization in the country.
“The only issue here is the election. They are too young to be involved in an election,” he stressed.
From his experience as long-time mayor of the richest city in the Philippines, Binay said there were “unfortunate incidents” in Makati City where an SK member had to traumatically be dragged into court because of cases filed in court.
“They are too young (to be involved in cases), so it’s time to revisit the law,” Binay said, adding that a study has to be made to secure the right data to guide lawmakers arrive at a better decision.
“We will not rush into making a decision. Let’s look at the reasons why they have to be elected (in the first place). The issue here is why they have to be involved in elections,” he said.
Aside from SK, Binay also suggested that lawmakers study the possibility of making barangay official an appointee of the mayor instead of having them run in elections.
“I think we just have to appoint them, not just the SK, but also the barangay officials. This will reduce the level of elections and avoid divisiveness,” he said, adding that the government spends billions of pesos in taxpayers’ money because of national, local and barangay elections.
In some instances, he said the barangay officials become the enemy of the mayors because of politics. “Why do we have to create a situation where they would have to fight if they can be united?” [PNA]